Chapter 2 - Concepts

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This book speaks not only about gays and lesbians, but also about ‘LGBT persons’ - the
acronym for ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender’. (1) This has become the accepted international
acronym used within social movements of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites,
transsexuals and all other transgender individuals.

Halfway through the nineties, the broad gay movement joined forces with bisexuals and by 2000 included the transgender movement
as well. This collaboration has led to successes, including consensus at the European Union (EU) that LGBT rights are human rights and must be guaranteed. This recognition expressed itself in a variety of legislation, including anti-discrimination laws, the right to change gender,
revoked transvestite prohibitions, equal rights in the area of labour, healthcare and housing and, in some countries, legal marriage for same-sex couples.